On Toyark, we really don’t cover comics. However, it’s hard to not pass on this news that famed DC Comics artist, Darwyn Cooke, has passed away. It was recently announced that Mr. Cooke was receiving palliative care for cancer. Palliative care provides patients with a caring environment as well as pain and symptom relief in the face of serious illness. Unfortunately, soon after this announcement, he passed away.Here’s the news direct from the official Darwyn Cooke website:
We regret to inform you that Darwyn lost his battle with cancer early this morning at 1:30 AM ET. We read all of your messages of support to him throughout the day yesterday. He was filled with your love and surrounded by friends and family at his home in Florida.
Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and Hero Initiative.
Please continue to respect our privacy as we go through this very difficult time.
A longer statement will come later today.
“Then we shall not be weary. Then we shall prevail.” — John F. Kennedy’s New Frontier speech
DC Comics has a wonderful article about Darwyn Cooke. Here’s an excerpt:
“Darwyn Cooke lived life like a character from a Micky Spillane novel, a throwback to a bygone era that was, more than occasionally, reflected in his work,” said DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “He was both compassionate and combative, approaching everything he did with a tenaciousness and temerity that is now unheard of in a world afraid to offend. The simplistic brilliance of his art and the natural flow of his storytelling not only elevated but enhanced all projects he touched and his passion and love of comics was reflected in every panel of every page. Working with Darwyn was not without its challenges. There were times we’d spend hours arguing over story then go months without talking, but we always found our way back, drawn together by the common bond and friendship comics creates. This is an industry-wide loss that I feel personally, but the sadness is mitigated in the knowing that the beauty and grace of his art will forever stand the test of time and be a monument to all that is great about comics.”
He will be greatly missed. We send our deepest condolences to Mr. Cooke’s family, friends and colleagues.